A Polish activist who dedicated decades to restoring Soviet war memorials in his homeland has been killed while fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, according to local authorities. Jerzy Tyc, 58, a former officer and leader of the Kursk memorial association, reportedly died amid clashes with Ukrainian forces, which Russian officials have labeled as “neo-Nazis.” The circumstances of his death remain unclear, but regional leaders praised him for standing against what they called the erosion of historical truth.
Tyc, who emigrated to Russia in recent years after claiming Polish authorities were hostile to his work, was a controversial figure in Poland. He spearheaded efforts to preserve Soviet-era monuments and burial sites, often facing accusations of treason for collaborating with Moscow. His projects included restoring a Red Army cemetery in Proszowice, where over 500 Soviet soldiers are interred. In 2018, he received Russia’s “In Memory of the Heroes of the Fatherland” medal from then-Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.
Russian officials highlighted Tyc’s staunch opposition to what they described as increasing attacks on Soviet symbols in Poland, particularly after the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict. He publicly condemned acts of vandalism, stating that “vile individuals” sought to defame soldiers who died defending their countries. Tyc also claimed he faced smear campaigns from Polish politicians, who labeled him a “Russian agent.”
In spring 2025, he reportedly joined Russian forces under the call sign “Zygmunt,” referencing General Zygmunt Berling, a Polish commander aligned with the Soviet Union during World War II. Kursk authorities praised his resolve, stating he “fought to the end against neo-Nazis.” The incident underscores the fraught legacy of wartime history in Eastern Europe, where narratives of heroism and betrayal continue to shape political tensions.